Beijing 2022 Games 'Pressing Ahead' Despite COVID-19 Threat

Beijing 2022 organisers say venues should be completed by the end of this year. AFP
Beijing 2022 organisers say venues should be completed by the end of this year. AFP
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Beijing 2022 Games 'Pressing Ahead' Despite COVID-19 Threat

Beijing 2022 organisers say venues should be completed by the end of this year. AFP
Beijing 2022 organisers say venues should be completed by the end of this year. AFP

Beijing 2022 organizers were "pressing ahead" with preparations for the Winter Olympics Friday after a senior IOC official warned they would be delayed because of the new coronavirus.

Beijing is due to host the Winter Olympics just six months after the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, which have been put back a year to July-August 2021 because of COVID-19.

However, with the pandemic showing no signs of receding, Japanese and IOC officials have both raised fears that the Tokyo Olympics may have to be cancelled altogether, AFP reported.

Dick Pound, a former International Olympic Committee vice-president, told AFP that all options would have to be considered if the Beijing Games cannot be held in 2022.

"To get to that point, where you decide you can't do it (Beijing) in 2022, you explore whatever options you can do," Pound said in an interview.

"If we're in Tokyo, things all may be ready for Beijing. On the other hand, they may not be," he added.

In a statement to AFP, Beijing 2022 said the IOC is ploughing on with both Games as planned, despite the coronavirus still claiming lives in much of the world.

"As far as we know, the position of the IOC is very clear and remains unchanged," Beijing organizers said.

"They are fully concentrated and committed to the successful delivery" of both the Tokyo and Beijing Games, they added.

China, where the coronavirus emerged late last year before spreading worldwide, has largely brought the contagion under control despite periodic localized new clusters.

However, Chinese authorities have ruled out hosting most international sports events this year -- with the exception of 2022 trials -- as part of measures to prevent a resurgence.



Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

 Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
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Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

 Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)

Marcus Rashford had his chance against Atletico Madrid, but failed to take it -- or any of the next five that came along on a frustrating European night.

On Tuesday the England international has another opportunity to try and inspire Barcelona to a Champions League comeback in the Spanish capital.

Rashford fired blanks as Barca suffered a 2-0 quarter-final first leg defeat, but the England international was also his team's brightest spark against the Rojiblancos, even though the killer finish eluded him.

The 28-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has a point to prove in the second leg, particularly with his future at the club on the line -- as well as a potential World Cup spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Barcelona have not yet made a decision on whether to trigger the 30 million euro ($35 million) clause in Rashford's loan deal to make his switch to Camp Nou permanent.

With Raphinha out injured, Rashford has been the natural choice on Barca's left flank.

Rashford burst beyond Atletico full-back Nahuel Molina on numerous occasions at Camp Nou but could not capitalize.

"This team is always going to create chances, there's so much quality in possession... today the goal didn't go in, but we can't shy away from the responsibility to take these chances," Rashford told CBS.

"On another day, on another night, they go in."

On Saturday, Flick began with Rashford on the bench for Barcelona's 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol in La Liga, likely to save the forward's energy for the visit to Atletico's Metropolitano stadium.

Rashford came on after 65 minutes and netted the fourth in the last minute with a cushioned volley, which Flick hopes will raise his confidence levels.

"I'm happy Marcus scored a goal today, it was very important for us," said Flick.

Rashford also scored against Atletico at the Metropolitano on April 4 in La Liga, with the second leg the third in a trilogy of clashes between the sides in under a fortnight.

The Englishman has six goals in 26 La Liga appearances, with his finishing an area that could be improved.

In the Champions League, Rashford has netted five times in 10 games and, if the pattern of the first leg is repeated, could be Barca's main attacking threat again.

Talented teenager Lamine Yamal was double and triple marked, in the first leg, creating more room for Rashford to fly into.

- 'Unbelievable' mindset -

Rashford believes Barca can mount a comeback to reach the semi-finals for a second season running.

"The mindset and the intent that we had to try to get back into the game is unbelievable, and we're going to have to use this, and we need all of this in the next game in order to come back," said Rashford.

"We know what we are capable of when we're playing at our highest level and we can take the game away from anybody. We have to look to do this in the next game."

Barca left the first leg furious at not being given a penalty when Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand at a goal kick.

"It's a penalty, it's happened before and it's always given as a penalty," Rashford added. "It's common sense that it's a penalty."

One area of the game where Rashford has not always satisfied Flick this season has been in his work-rate off the ball, not close to Raphinha's intense pressing, which is a key to how the coach likes to play.

"(Pressing) is also a part of our game which is very important, not just with the ball (where) everyone knows he's fantastic," said Flick on the eve of the first leg.

"We need him... to help his team-mate on the flank."

In response, Rashford produced one of his best displays in that regard, and also tracked back well against Espanyol, showing he is heeding his coach's instructions.

The forward's 30-million-euro fee would be straightforward for some clubs given Rashford's numbers this season.

The attacker has 12 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances, many as a substitute, but at cash-strapped Barca any such deal would represent a significant chunk of the summer budget.

Signing Rashford might mean not being able to move for a much-needed defensive reinforcement.

Rashford's job against Atletico is to make the question a no-brainer, even on Barca's budget.


Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
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Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo

Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong has been killed in an armed robbery on his side’s team bus as they returned from a Ghana Premier League fixture at Samartex on Sunday, the Ghana Football Association said.

The robbers fired at ⁠the bus as ⁠it tried to reverse, striking Frimpong, 20, in the head. He later died in hospital and is the ⁠only reported casualty from the incident.

"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has received with profound shock and deep sorrow the tragic news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club," it said.

"The incident ⁠has ⁠sent shockwaves across the entire football fraternity. The GFA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his teammates, technical staff, management, and all at Berekum Chelsea during this extremely difficult time."


Sinner's Monte Carlo Master Class Sends Early Clay-season Warning

Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
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Sinner's Monte Carlo Master Class Sends Early Clay-season Warning

Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)

Meticulous preparation was again at the heart of Jannik Sinner's breakthrough Monte Carlo Masters triumph, as his win over Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final took him back to the top of the world rankings and laid down a marker for the rest of the clay season.

After completing the "Sunshine Double" of hardcourt titles at Indian Wells and Miami, Sinner was widely expected to skip Monte Carlo to recharge his batteries but the 24-year-old Italian was keen to build momentum.

His 7-6(5) 6-3 victory over Alcaraz earned him his first big title on the sport's slowest surface and made him the only ⁠player after Novak ⁠Djokovic in 2015 to claim the first three Masters titles of a season.

"It's not easy at all. I'm surprised in a very good way," Sinner told reporters, according to Reuters.

While Sinner arrived early at Indian Wells last month to prepare his body for the heat of the Californian desert, his focus ahead of Monte Carlo was more tactical, centered on refining shot selection and adapting to each opponent.

"Every day I ⁠wake up and I try to improve and get better as a player," Sinner explained.

"Here, we did it day by day trying to understand what the best style is against every opponent, because I haven't played the same kind of tennis against everyone.

"It means a lot to me and I'll need a bit of time to realize what happened. It's going to be good having some days off now away from the courts.

"Everything was quite hectic, one tournament to the other, so we'll see what's coming next."

Sinner is expected to return to action in Madrid later this month or in Rome at the beginning of ⁠May. His coach, ⁠Simone Vagnozzi, said the Monte Carlo week provided clear evidence of the Italian's progress on clay.

"We're really happy because after the first two matches he started to feel better, more drop shots, more variation with the height of the ball and with the serve," Vagnozzi said.

"We're really impressed with his level."

(L-R) Princess Charlene of Monaco, men's singles finals champion Jannick Sinner of Italy, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, and Melanie de Massyl, president of the Monegasque Federation, the Rolex Masters 1000 and the Monte Carlo Country Club, pose at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 12 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

The Monte Carlo title will give Sinner a psychological boost with the French Open just around the corner.

Alcaraz, who beat his rival in last year's Roland Garros final over five sets, is fully aware how much Sinner has improved on clay.

"We've seen Jannik's level on clay and I think he's been improving a lot year by year," said Alcaraz.

"He's reaching a level on clay that's going to be really dangerous for everybody."

The French Open main draw begins on May 24.